The latest news, programs, and events from The International Center.
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2026 International Citizen of the Year Announced!
Join us as we honor Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Owner and Chief Executive Officer of the Indianapolis Colts, with the prestigious International Citizen of the Year award! Carlie will be recognized for expanding the Colts’ international presence to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland through the NFL’s Global Markets Program. The International Center celebrates Carlie’s commitment to global engagement, relationship‑building, and cultural exchange—work that is helping shape the future of sports worldwide.
Save the date for an unforgettable evening filled with inspiring guest speakers, engaging storytelling, and a vibrant atmosphere that reflects Carlie’s incredible journey and contributions.
Secure your seat at The International Citizen of the Year by joining the Global Society Corporate Partnership. Enjoy unparalleled opportunities to connect with global leaders, innovators, and changemakers, while gaining year-round visibility and engagement within our international community. This is your chance to be at the heart of an inspiring evening celebrating global impact.
Join us for The International Center’s 2026 Annual Meeting
The International Center is delighted to extend a warm invitation to you for our 2026 Annual Meeting, taking place at the Community Health Network Events Center at Grand Park Sports Campus on Thursday, March 5th, from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM.
This must-attend event celebrates our 2025 achievements, looks ahead to bold 2026 goals, and brings together leaders committed to Indiana’s multicultural growth and global impact. In honor of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and Winter Olympics, we’ll feature an exclusive panel of top leaders to discuss sports diplomacy and how cross‑cultural collaboration will shape Indiana’s future.
Registration is free, but required. Register by Wednesday, March 4, at 5:00 PM to secure your spot.
The James T. Morris Global Leadership Series is designed for Hoosier leaders in globally focused roles who are eager to expand their cultural knowledge, enhance their leadership skills, and connect with both local and international professionals. Ideal candidates include established and emerging leaders from diverse industries such as academia, economic development, law, corporate business, government, and nonprofit sectors.
Are you or someone you know ready to take the next step in your career as a global leader? The International Center is proud to offer Indiana’s first and only global leadership development series, designed to equip professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate an increasingly interconnected world.
Applications are open until April 30. If you or someone in your network is interested, we encourage you to share this opportunity!
Immediate Past Chair: Angela Smith Jones, Associate Vice President for State Relations, Indiana University
This accomplished group of leaders brings a wealth of experience, insight, and dedication to advancing our mission of fostering international understanding and supporting globally mobile talent in our community. Together, they will guide our strategic priorities, strengthen community partnerships, and ensure the continued growth and impact of our organization.
We are grateful for their service and look forward to the leadership and vision they will bring in the year ahead.
Thank You to Our Global Society Corporate Sponsors!
We extend our sincere gratitude to our Global Society Corporate Sponsors for their generous support and commitment to advancing international engagement across Indiana.
This March, we proudly recognize Buckingham Foundation, Butler University, Daniel's Vineyard, Dean Dorton, The Heritage Group, Indiana University Indianapolis, Indy Chamber, International School of Indianapolis, Jerry Consulting, Katz Sapper Miller, KERAMIDA, KeyBank, Lewis Kappes, Markey's, Pacers Sports & Entertainment, PNC, and 500 Festival for their partnership and leadership.
Their collective investment strengthens our ability to connect cultures, elevate global perspectives, and create meaningful opportunities for international dialogue here in Indiana. We are grateful for their continued dedication to building a more globally engaged community.
Save the Date: America’s Emerging Role in a Turbulent World
Join The International Center on April 16th for an engaging and timely discussion examining America’s role in today’s rapidly shifting global environment.
The program will feature Joel Rosenthal, President of the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs, an organization dedicated to advancing ethics in global policy and international affairs. Drawing on both historical perspective and present-day realities, Dr. Rosenthal will explore the evolution of American leadership in world affairs — highlighting moments of achievement as well as challenge — and consider what lies ahead for U.S. engagement on the global stage.
He will be joined in conversation by Martin Baier, President and CEO of The International Center, and Dr. Latha Ramchand, Chancellor of Indiana University Indianapolis, with moderation by Dr. Amir Pasic, Dean of the Eugene R. Tempel Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Together, they will reflect on how communities, institutions, and leaders can thoughtfully navigate the future of international relations.
Event Details
Thursday, April 16, from 5 PM to 6:30 PM
Indiana State Museum: Dean and Barbara White Auditorium, 650 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204
We look forward to welcoming you for what promises to be a meaningful and forward-looking conversation.
On February 26th, The International Center hosted a delegation of Swiss Parliamentarians to Indianapolis. Joined by Ambassador Ralf Heckner, the Center organized a life sciences roundtable with executives from Roche, Novartis, Zimmer Biomet, Indiana Life Sciences Association, and BioCrossroads to discuss collaborative initiatives, investments, and research (pictured left). Afterwards, the delegation met with executives from the Indy Chamber along with local government officials to discuss trade and central Indiana's iLab apprenticeship program, modeled after the Swiss program (pictured right). Indiana is home to 48 Swiss companies with more than $10B worth of trade flowing between Indiana and Switzerland.
Québec MRO Trade Mission Connects with Indianapolis Advanced Manufacturing Leaders
The International Center supported the Québec Government Office in Chicago in bringing an MRO-trade mission of Quebec-based companies to Indianapolis to connect them with the advanced manufacturing and logistics industry in Indianapolis, including FedEx, Rolls-Royce, and Comlux. The visit began with a breakfast reception hosted by Indy Economic Development at the Indianapolis International Airport which was joined by Indy Chamber, Conexus, and Colin Bird, Consul General of Canada in Detroit.
INTLCTR Recognized for Excellence in Workforce Development
We are proud to share that The International Center has been featured in the Impact Awards: History of Success series by the Institute for Workforce Excellence, a subsidiary of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, recognizing its longstanding commitment to work-based learning and employer excellence.
Since our founding in 1973, The International Center has played a vital role in strengthening Indiana’s global engagement and workforce readiness initiatives. A cornerstone of this impact is our internship program, which has been honored multiple times with the Employer of the Year Impact Award (2011, 2012, and 2021). This distinction reflects a sustained dedication to providing meaningful, hands-on professional experiences for emerging talent.
INTLCTR Relocation Specialist Appointed Treasurer of
SWEA Indiana Chapter
We’re excited to share that Carola Thomas, Relocations Specialist at The International Center, has been selected as Treasurer for the newly formed SWEA Indiana chapter of SWEA International (Swedish Women’s Education Association).
SWEA is a global nonprofit network dedicated to promoting the Swedish language, culture, and traditions while fostering community among Swedish and Swedish-speaking women around the world. The launch of the Indiana chapter marks an exciting expansion of this international organization into our region.
In her role as Treasurer, Carola will help support the chapter’s growth and sustainability as it begins planning cultural and community events throughout Central Indiana in 2026. Her leadership, international expertise, and passion for connecting people across cultures make her a wonderful fit for this role.
Please join us in congratulating Carola on this outstanding achievement!
Board Member Dr. Jane Siegler Earns 'Scholarship Star' Recognition
We’re proud to celebrate INTLCTR board member Dr. Jane Siegler, who was recently recognized as a Scholarship Star during Butler University's Provost’s Spotlight on Excellence in Teaching and Scholarship. This event highlighted faculty named by their home colleges for their exceptional contributions to scholarship—at Butler and far beyond. Congratulations, Dr. Siegler!
Board Member John Ciorciari Appointed Interim Provost at IU Bloomington
Congratulations to INTLCTR board member John Ciorciari on his recent promotion to the role of Interim Provost at IU Bloomington. Ciorciari, who serves as dean of the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies, brings extensive experience in academic leadership, faculty engagement and strategic planning.
Festival Fund Application Open
Organizations celebrating cultural diversity and expression in the Hoosier state are encouraged to apply for The Center’s Festival Fund. The Festival Fund was established in 2011 to support and promote the activities of organizations in the greater Indianapolis area that enrich life by celebrating cultural diversity and expression and showcasing the growing number of nationalities represented in Central Indiana. Qualifying community organizations may apply to receive funding to support their international or cultural event in grant awards ranging from $250-$2,000.
The International Center is a catalyst toinform, convene,and connectpublic, private and civic global objectives in Indiana.
Inform
The International Center recently hosted a convening of the Consular Corps of Indianapolis in partnership with Indy Economic Development. The meeting provided an opportunity to strengthen relationships, exchange updates, and explore opportunities for enhanced international collaboration across the region.
Convene
The International Center was honored to participate in the successful opening of the traveling exhibit presented by the American Latvian Association’s Latvian Museum, with our President and CEO, Martin Baier, delivering remarks on behalf of the organization. He joined distinguished leaders, including Sue Finkam, Mayor of Carmel, and Daniel Lopez, Indiana State Representative. We are grateful for the opportunity to celebrate Latvian heritage and the enduring international partnerships that enrich our communities.
Connect
For the fifth year, our Flag Service proudly supported the Burmese American Community Institute (BACI) in hosting the Celebration of the 79th Myanmar Union Day in Indianapolis. The event brought together community members to commemorate the Panglong Agreement of 1947 and the founding of the Union of Myanmar, highlighting themes of friendship, partnership, and national unity while celebrating Myanmar’s rich cultural heritage.
Upcoming International Events
Is your event missing from our calendar? Submit it!
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